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Johnson gets day off; Escobar good to go

Johnson gets day off; Escobar good to go

TORONTO -- Kelly Johnson was held out of the lineup on Wednesday night against Baltimore as the Blue Jays continue to monitor his injured right leg.

Johnson has been dealing with soreness in his hamstring for the past several weeks and had to miss Saturday's and Sunday's games in Texas because of the lingering discomfort.

The 30-year-old veteran returned for the first two games against Baltimore, and according to manager John Farrell, an off-day on Wednesday was always part of the plan.

"[It's] not a flareup," Farrell said. "Upon his return, it was almost a planned usage to take advantage of the day off tomorrow to give him two full days -- just to obviously keep him active but yet at the same time, take advantage of when extended rest can be had."

Johnson received a cortisone injection last Friday night, and although his condition improved enough for him to get back into the lineup on Monday and Tuesday, he was still in noticeable discomfort.

Farrell doesn't believe that Johnson's injury will get worse if he plays, but it is a situation the club will have to monitor in the coming days and weeks.

"Any time we have a chance to take a little bit more rest to try and get ahead of it while in season without missing him for two full weeks, that's our approach at this point," Farrell said.

In other injury news, shortstop Yunel Escobar has been cleared for action despite the fact that he is dealing with a sore left groin. Escobar had to leave Sunday's game in Texas after the fourth inning and missed Monday's series opener against Baltimore on Monday, though he returned on Tuesday night.

Escobar, who had an RBI in that game, came away without any symptoms and should now be ready for everyday action.

"He's pretty much good to go," Farrell said of Escobar, who entered play on Wednesday hitting .255. "If he's pressed on a first-to-third situation or if there's a movement that might stress the groin, we'll certainly monitor, but he came out last night OK."